US4412399A - Juggling toy - Google Patents

Juggling toy Download PDF

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Publication number
US4412399A
US4412399A US06/330,524 US33052481A US4412399A US 4412399 A US4412399 A US 4412399A US 33052481 A US33052481 A US 33052481A US 4412399 A US4412399 A US 4412399A
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United States
Prior art keywords
movement
housing
elements
toy
movable
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/330,524
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English (en)
Inventor
Akira Abe
Tomihisa Tanimura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
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Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd filed Critical Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
Assigned to TOMY KOGYO CO. INC, A CORP. OF JAPAN reassignment TOMY KOGYO CO. INC, A CORP. OF JAPAN ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: TANIMURA, TOMIHISA, ABE, AKIRA
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Publication of US4412399A publication Critical patent/US4412399A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/18—Jumping jacks

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to a toy which includes a housing having a movable means thereon capable of reciprocally moving in an arcuate pathway with respect to the housing.
  • An impulse means is located on the housing in association with the movable means.
  • the impulse means is capable of interacting with the movable means at at least two points within the arcuate pathway travelled by the movable means, and is capable at each of these points of reversing the direction of the movement of the movable means.
  • Juggling is a very old art, and seems to fascinate young and old alike. As with the above noted competition type toys between two individuals, juggling is not a skill which is really attainable by a preschooler because of the lack of coordination.
  • a toy which comprises a housing, movable means rotatably mounted on said housing such that it is capable of reciprocal movement in an arcuate pathway with respect to said housing, impulse means located on said housing in association with said movable means and capable of interacting with said movable means at at least two points in said arcuate pathway, each of said interactions of said impulse means with said movable means capable of at least inhibiting movement of said movable means in at least one direction of movement and further capable of initiating a movement in the opposite direction.
  • the movable means would include a member rotatably mounted on said housing, and having an object means located on the surface thereof.
  • the member is a transparent member, such that the object located on its surface traverses through the arcuate pathway and appears suspended in mid air as it traverses through this pathway, because of the transparency of the member.
  • the impulse means would be capable of interacting with the object means in four points on the arcuate pathway traversed by the object means. At two of these points the impulse means would be capable of inhibiting movement of the object means in a first direction, and further capable of initiating movement of the object means in a second direction, and in the remaining two of these points, the impulse means would be capable of inhibiting movement of the object means in the second direction, and further capable of initiating movement of the object in the first direction.
  • the impulse means can comprise a first and second element and an activation means.
  • the activation means would be associated with the first and second elements and capable of moving the ends of each of these elements with respect to said housing, such that the ends of these elements are capable of contacting and moving the object means.
  • the impulse means will comprise a first and second, and a third and fourth element grouped such that the first and third element and the second and fourth element are located in conjunction with one another.
  • the first and third element would be capable of inhibiting movement of the object means in a first direction, and initiating movement of the object means in a second direction
  • the second and third elements would be capable of inhibiting movement of the object means in the second direction, and initiating movement of the object means in the first direction.
  • FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are front elevational views of the toy, showing the toy as it appears during its operation, with certain components of the toy in different positions between these figures;
  • FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the central portion of the toys seen in FIG. 1 with an overlaying component removed;
  • FIG. 6 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 5 with certain of the components of the figures shown in a different spatial relationship than that in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in partial section taken about the line 7--7 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 8 is a ffront elevational view taken in section about the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an exploded oblique view of certain of the components of FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the toy 10 includes a small figurine designated by the numeral 12, which is mounted on a housing 14. Extending upwardly from the housing, and surrounding the figurine 12 is a circular shaped extension 16 of the housing 14. A transparent disk 18 is mounted within the extension 16 and includes a object 20 located in one position on its surface. An activation button 22 is located below the figurine 12.
  • the figurine 12 includes right arm 24, left arm 26, right leg 28 and left leg 30, all of which are movable in response to depression of the activation button 22.
  • the toy works as follows.
  • the child playing with the toy depresses the activation button 22.
  • This causes the right and left arms, 24 and 26, and the right and left legs, 28 and 30, respectively, to move upwardly and outwardly as can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 with FIG. 2, or FIG. 3 with FIG. 4.
  • the disk 18 and the object 20 thereon are free to spin with respect to the housing 14, as hereinafter explained.
  • the center of rotation of the disk 18 is located at a position essentially behind the upper portion of the figurine 12.
  • the activation button 22 If the activation button is maintained in a depressed position, as seen in FIG. 2, the rotation of the disk 18 and the object 20 will rotate the object 20 past the outermost extension of the left arm 26, down toward the left leg 30. If the activation button 22 is released when the object 20 is located between the left arm 26 and the left leg 30, and the object is allowed to come to rest against the toe portion (not seperately identified or numbered) of the left leg 30 and the activation button 22 once again depressed, the left leg 30 will now impart to impulse to the object 20 and the disk 18, causing it to spin clockwise. In order for the object 20 to clear the outmost extension of the left arm 26, the activation button 22 must be maintained in a depressed position. If this happens, then the object travels between the position seen between FIGS.
  • the object 20 will clear the outmost extremity of the right arm 24 and if this movement is coordinated with release of the activation button 22 as the object approaches the toe portion (not seperately identified or numbered) of the right leg 28, the object 20 will come to rest against the right leg 28, as is seen in FIG. 4.
  • the figurine 12 can be made to juggle the object 20 back and forth between the right and left arms 24 and 26 by depressing the activation button 22 when the object 20 is against the right or left arm 24 and 26, imparting a momentum to the object, followed by release of the activation button 22 to extend the right and left arms 24 and 26 to positions as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, to allow the object 20 to strike their extremities and thus be stopped. If this is followed be re-depression of the activation button 22, the object is caused to travel in the opposite direction toward the arm 24 or 26, opposite the arm which is giving it the momentum. This is the easiest way to operate the toy.
  • the child can operate the toy such that the figurine 12 juggles the object 20 off of the toes of the right and left leg 28 and 30, as previously described.
  • the child can one time cause one of the arms, 24 or 26 to stop the object 20 and reverse its direction, followed by utilizing the legs 28 or 30 toward which the object is travelling, to stop its momentum and reverse its direction.
  • the object 20 will only be allowed to go into the space wherein it can be contacted by one of the legs 28 and 30, by maintaining the arms 24 and 26 out of the way, by keeping the activation button depressed as the object goes around the arms.
  • the activation button 22 is released, as is seen in FIG.
  • the object cannot clear the extremities of the arms, such as the right arm 24 in FIG. 1, but is stopped by the arm.
  • the child can develop coordination and dexterity in playing with the game by alternating the juggling of the object 20 with the arms 24 and 26 and the legs 28 and 30.
  • the activation button 22 When the activation button 22 is depressed, it must be depressed with sufficient force such that whichever of the limbs of the figurine 12, i.e. the right and left arms 24 and 26, or the right and left legs 28 and 30, contact the object 20, it does so with sufficient force to give enough impulse to the object 20 and the disk 18 to sufficiently rotate them enough to bring the object 20 in a position wherein it can be contacted by another of the limbs 24, 26, 28 or 30.
  • the impulse imparted to the object 20 by an improperly coordinated movement of the activation button 22 will not impart sufficient momentum to the object 20 and the disk 18 to cause them to rotate enough to locate the object 20 in a position where it can be contaced by a further one of the arms or legs 24, 26, 28 or 30. It is thus evident that the child will develop increased coordination skills and the like in playing with the toy 10.
  • the child will be simply able to juggle the object 20 back and forth between the ends of the arms 24 and 26.
  • the child will start to incorporate the use of the legs 28 and 30 in juggling the object 20 back and forth.
  • FIGS. 5 through 9 the internal components of the figurine 12 and the activation button 22 are seen. Further, the method of suspension of the disk 18 on the housing 14 is also seen.
  • An upwardly extending section 32 of the housing 14 projects from a central location upwardly toward the center of the extension 16 of the housing 14.
  • This section 32 is in its most part shaped as per the outline of the figurine 12 and contributes to the general appearance of the figurine 12.
  • a face plat 34 fits onto section 32 and forms the body and head portion of the figurine 12.
  • the face plate 34 has appropriate indicia thereon to supply the characteristic appearance of a clown, as seen in the illustrated embodiments of the Figs. Attachment of the plate 34 to the section 32 is via appropriate screws (not seperately identified or numbered) which allows for mounting of these two components together.
  • the section 32 has four bosses, boss 36, boss 38, boss 40, and boss 42 which extend horizontally outwardly from it and are hidden from view by the face plate 34 when it is located on the section 32.
  • the right arm 24 has a hole 44 located in it which allows for mounting of the right arm 24 about the boss 36 by insertion of the boss 36 into the hole 44.
  • the left arm 26, the right leg 28 and the left leg 30, contain holes 46, 48 and 50, respectively, which allow for appropriate mounting of these components about bosses 38, 40 and 42 respectively.
  • the arms 24 and 26 and the legs 26 and 28 are thus first class levers, free to pivot about the respective bosses 36, 38, 40 and 42.
  • the activation button 22 is formed as a part of the activation member 52.
  • the activation button 22 extends upwardly out of an appropriate hole 54 formed in the housing 14.
  • the remaining portion of the activation member 52 is hidden within either the main part of the housing 14 or within the section 32.
  • the upper portion of activation member 52 has two bosses 56 and 58 located thereon which extend horizontally outwardly fromthe main portion of the member 52.
  • the right and left arms 24 and 26 each contain an appropriate slot 60 and 62 which fits over the boss 56 when the arms 24 and 26 are appropriately mounted about their bosses 36 and 38.
  • the right and left legs 28 and 30 each contain appropriate slots 64 and 66 which fit over the boss 58 when the legs 28 and 30 are appropriately mounted about bosses 40 and 42.
  • the activation member 52 On depression of the activation button 22, the activation member 52 is moved downwardly. This moves the bosses 56 and 58 downwardly with respect to the section 32 and the bosses 36, 38, 40 and 42 located thereon. The downward movement of the bosses 56 and 58 causes the arms 24 and 26 and the legs 28 and 30 to pivot about their respective mounting bosses as can be seen in FIG. 5 to FIG. 6. Thus, the downward deflection of the activation button 22 results in upward movement of the exposed portions of the arms 24 and 26 and the legs 28 and 30.
  • a spring 68 extends between a projection 70 located on the section 32 of the housing 14 and a projection 72 located on the activation member 52.
  • the spring 68 biases the activation member 52 upwardly and, in turn, also biases the activation button 22 upwardly.
  • the activation button 22 When the activation button 22 is depressed, it moves the activation member 52 downwardly against the bias of the spring 68, stretching the same such that when the activation button 22 is released, the tension in the spring 68 returns the activation member 52 upwardly, which in turn moves the activation button 22 upwardly and the ends of the arms 24 and 26 and the legs 28 and 30 downwardly and inwardly.
  • a rear section 74 of the housing 14 extends upwardly in back of the disk 18.
  • a bearing surface 76 is located near the upper periphery of the section 76.
  • An insert 78 in the center of the disk 18 carries an axle 80 which fits into the bearing surface 76, forming a rear pivot point for the disk 18.
  • An extension 82 on the center front of the disk 18 has a shoulder 84 which is located within a hole 86 in the section 32, which forms a front pivot point for the disk 18.
  • the axle 80 extends forward through the extension 82 and fits into an eccentrically located cam 88, integrally formed as a part of extension 82, located on its forward end. Rotation of the disk 18 about its center of rotation passing through axle 80 cause eccentric rotation of the cam 88.
  • the cam 88 can be seen in a front view in FIG. 8.
  • a plate 90 is vertically held to the section 32 by a slot and channel, not seperately identified or numbered, but seen in FIG. 7.
  • a second plate 92 rests against and is free to slide on the surface of the plate 90 in between two vertically extending ribs collectively identified by the numeral 94 in FIG. 8.
  • the plate 92 has a hole 96 located therein into which the cam 88 fits. As the disk 18 turns, the cam 88 in turn is turned and it interacts with the sides of the hole 96, causing the plate 92 to slide with respect to the plate 90.
  • the eyes of the figurine 12 are located on the plate 92 and, as can be seen in referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, as the disk 18 rotates, the movement transferred by this rotation to the plate 92 causes movement of the eyes within the eye sockets in the figurine 12.
  • the object 20, as can be seen in FIG. 7, is mounted to the disk 18 by appropriately attaching it to boss 98 extending outwardly from the surface of the disk 18.
  • the disk 18 is made of a transparent material allowing viewing through it. Contrary to this, the object 20 is a solid, opaque material. By so locating the solid object 20 on the transparent disk 18, the object 20 appears suspended in air, when, in fact, it is fixedly located to a solid disk.
  • the extension 16 of the housing 14 surrounds the periphery of the disk 18 such that its outside perimeter is located within the extension 16. As can be seen in FIG. 7, there is a slight space 100 between the disk 18 and the front and the back of the extension 16. This allows for free movement of the disk 18 within the extension 16.
  • the disk 18 is supported at its center via the axle 80 as previously described and thus is free to move with respect to the extension 16.

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US06/330,524 1980-12-18 1981-12-14 Juggling toy Expired - Fee Related US4412399A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP55-182334 1980-12-18
JP1980182334U JPS6122632Y2 (US06650917-20031118-M00005.png) 1980-12-18 1980-12-18

Publications (1)

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US4412399A true US4412399A (en) 1983-11-01

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/330,524 Expired - Fee Related US4412399A (en) 1980-12-18 1981-12-14 Juggling toy

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US (1) US4412399A (US06650917-20031118-M00005.png)
JP (1) JPS6122632Y2 (US06650917-20031118-M00005.png)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4536164A (en) * 1984-06-15 1985-08-20 Handi-Pac, Inc. Toy computer busy box assembly
US20050191935A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2005-09-01 Marine Jon C. Doll with stand
US20080029418A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2008-02-07 Mattel, Inc. Interactive Display Packaging For A Toy Figure
US20100203795A1 (en) * 2005-08-22 2010-08-12 Mattel, Inc. Display Packaging for Reconfigurable Product
US20130189899A1 (en) * 2011-12-16 2013-07-25 Ruben L. Martinez Action figurine with accessories and apparatus and method for securing accessories thereto
US9216608B1 (en) * 2015-05-11 2015-12-22 American Greetings Corporation Interactive greeting card with articulated character

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US433110A (en) * 1890-07-29 Dormer walsh
US3043050A (en) * 1961-03-29 1962-07-10 Peter A Peterson Children's playthings
US3877700A (en) * 1973-01-15 1975-04-15 Aurora Prod Corp Combined game of chance and skill
US4028843A (en) * 1976-05-12 1977-06-14 Gabriel Industries, Inc. Child's toy
US4213266A (en) * 1978-02-21 1980-07-22 Hasbro Industries, Inc. Tumbling toy

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US433110A (en) * 1890-07-29 Dormer walsh
US3043050A (en) * 1961-03-29 1962-07-10 Peter A Peterson Children's playthings
US3877700A (en) * 1973-01-15 1975-04-15 Aurora Prod Corp Combined game of chance and skill
US4028843A (en) * 1976-05-12 1977-06-14 Gabriel Industries, Inc. Child's toy
US4213266A (en) * 1978-02-21 1980-07-22 Hasbro Industries, Inc. Tumbling toy

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4536164A (en) * 1984-06-15 1985-08-20 Handi-Pac, Inc. Toy computer busy box assembly
US20050191935A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2005-09-01 Marine Jon C. Doll with stand
US7318766B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2008-01-15 Mattel, Inc. Doll with stand
US20100203795A1 (en) * 2005-08-22 2010-08-12 Mattel, Inc. Display Packaging for Reconfigurable Product
US8348059B2 (en) * 2005-08-22 2013-01-08 Mattel, Inc. Display packaging for reconfigurable product
US20080029418A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2008-02-07 Mattel, Inc. Interactive Display Packaging For A Toy Figure
US8191713B2 (en) * 2006-07-11 2012-06-05 Mattel, Inc. Interactive display packaging for a toy figure
AU2007272545B2 (en) * 2006-07-11 2012-09-13 Mattel, Inc. Interactive display packaging for a toy figure
US20130189899A1 (en) * 2011-12-16 2013-07-25 Ruben L. Martinez Action figurine with accessories and apparatus and method for securing accessories thereto
US9457283B2 (en) * 2011-12-16 2016-10-04 Mattel, Inc. Action figurine with accessories and apparatus and method for securing accessories thereto
US9216608B1 (en) * 2015-05-11 2015-12-22 American Greetings Corporation Interactive greeting card with articulated character

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS6122632Y2 (US06650917-20031118-M00005.png) 1986-07-07
JPS57103794U (US06650917-20031118-M00005.png) 1982-06-25

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